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Straws And Cups That Detect Date Rape Drugs

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Re: Straws And Cups That Detect Date Rape Drugs

#71

Post by roc »

dobbsbob wrote: post #63
Nursie wrote: post #3

1. Awesome invention, straws that detect adulterants and change colour 2. Obviously people do get drugged occasionally, the inventor seems to have had it happen to him 3. Unfortunately there seems to be no real evidence that GHB or ketamine are often used in sexual assaults, and even Rohypnol which has the worst reputation has not often been detected. A straw that could detect a drink that's stronger than you think i…

Not so common in North America anymore, but very common in S. America and Europe. Brazil expect every drink you have to be spiked with scopolamine especially if you're a rich looking tourist and a girl who makes $50/week wants to clear out your hotel. I would expect the same in the Czech Republic too, but since bartenders are in cahoots with the thieves there you'd need to bring your own straws. I also don't think th…

The bigger problem with cups would be dark-colored drinks. The concept looks great if we assume a martini. But fairly useless with a cola- or red-juice-based mixer.

Re: Straws And Cups That Detect Date Rape Drugs

#72

Post by dobbsbob »

roc wrote: post #71
dobbsbob wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not so common in North America anymore, but very common in S. America and Europe. Brazil expect every drink you have to be spiked with scopolamine especially if you're a rich looking tourist and a girl who makes $50/week wants to clear out your hotel. I would expect the same in the Czech Republic too, but since bartenders are in cahoots with the thieves there you'd need to bring your own straws. I also don't think th…

The bigger problem with cups would be dark-colored drinks. The concept looks great if we assume a martini. But fairly useless with a cola- or red-juice-based mixer.

Hmm indeed. Not to mention how dark clubs are anyways, or the one's who serve bottles.

Re: Straws And Cups That Detect Date Rape Drugs

#73

Post by gthrowaway »

justin66 wrote: post #39
Nursie wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> Regarding #3, what data are you going off to say that Rohypnol has not been detected, and that drugging overall is uncommon? Wikipedia has links to a couple of studies. It says Rohypnol was detected in less than 1% of cases of sexual assault where drugging was suspected. I obviously have no idea what you and your friends have seen or been through or what they may have been spiked with. I'm just saying that wheneve…

> It says Rohypnol was detected in less than 1% of cases of sexual assault where drugging was suspected. That might not mean what you think it means. From http://www.drugs.com/rohypnol.html : > It is difficult to estimate the number of Rohypnol-facilitated rapes in the United States. Very often, biological samples are taken from the victim at a time when the effects of the drug have already passed and only residual a…

Because alleged "awareness campaigns" which focus on the least common risk factors (and there are many such campaigns) are a major annoyance to me: it's well worth reviewing the other study linked here:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6122532

And well worth reviewing other literature on results from screenings conducted quickly after a suspected assault.

Focusing on "date rape drugs" presents a vastly inaccurate picture of the real risk factors, not least because it creates an implicit assumption that alcohol and common recreational drugs are not the major risks, when they are far more common and plenty capable of reducing inhibitions or inducing unconsciousness all on their own.

Perhaps a good analogy would be to anti-terror campaigns: we are drawn toward the uncommon and dramatic events, and focus our attention and efforts on them, when far more could be accomplished from dealing with more common but less "flashy" risks.

(another example with rape is the focus on "stranger danger", which creates an implicit assumption of safety in the company of people one already knows, when in fact most rapes are perpetrated by someone known to the victim rather than by strangers who leap from behind bushes)

Re: Straws And Cups That Detect Date Rape Drugs

#74

Post by Millennium »

It seems to me that, rather than making straws and drinks that do this, it would be better to see if it could be incorporated into some kind of nail polish that, once dried, could detect this.

I suggest nail polish for two reasons. One is that it removes the need to carry specialized tools: once you've done your nails, you can test 10 drinks and leave the bottle at home. Not having to carry a tool is somewhat more convenient, but it also means the tool can't be forgotten, lost, stolen, or tampered with.

The other advantage is discretion. It's not difficult, with a setup like this, to test a drink without others knowing what you are doing. It could be argued that people shouldn't mind being tested, but from a pragmatic standpoint, the kind of person who spikes a drink is the kind of person who could very easily become dangerous if they know they're being put to the test. A discreet test, therefore, is a safer test, and since these tests are supposed to be all about safety, it follows that a discreet test is also a better test.

Re: Straws And Cups That Detect Date Rape Drugs

#75

Post by justin66 »

gthrowaway wrote: post #73
justin66 wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It says Rohypnol was detected in less than 1% of cases of sexual assault where drugging was suspected. That might not mean what you think it means. From http://www.drugs.com/rohypnol.html : > It is difficult to estimate the number of Rohypnol-facilitated rapes in the United States. Very often, biological samples are taken from the victim at a time when the effects of the drug have already passed and only residual a…

Because alleged "awareness campaigns" which focus on the least common risk factors (and there are many such campaigns) are a major annoyance to me: it's well worth reviewing the other study linked here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6122532 And well worth reviewing other literature on results from screenings conducted quickly after a suspected assault. Focusing on "date rape drugs" presents a vastly inaccurate…

In defense of "awareness campaigns" (I had a roommate who was a health educator) the statistics about whether one is more likely to be raped by a stranger or an acquaintance are very, very widely reported.

> Focusing on "date rape drugs" presents a vastly inaccurate picture of the real risk factors

I don't disagree but I think a presentation regarding date rape drugs is normally given after alcohol has already been discussed. An educator who discussed date rape drugs first, or in isolation, would most certainly be Doing It Wrong.

A lot of what leads people to that inaccurate picture of the risk factors, I suspect, is the natural human tendency to assume that none of the people I know would ever do something like that. Not to mention the assumption that familiarity with alcohol implies some sort of mastery over it. You can lead a horse to data but you can't make him drink, or something.

Re: Straws And Cups That Detect Date Rape Drugs

#77

Post by anon1385 »

asdasf wrote: post #38
DanBC wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> >Drunk consent isn't consent > Legally it is. Not where I live.

Where do you live? Can you cite a law or case that demonstrates you are correct in your belief?

Incase he doesn't reply, I'm fairly sure DanBC lives in the UK. Here is a recent widely publicised case:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/aug/21/ched-evans-loses-ra...

In April, the 23-year-old striker was jailed for five years for raping a teenager who was too drunk to consent to sex with him

Re: Straws And Cups That Detect Date Rape Drugs

#78

Post by tinha »

Millennium wrote: post #74

It seems to me that, rather than making straws and drinks that do this, it would be better to see if it could be incorporated into some kind of nail polish that, once dried, could detect this. I suggest nail polish for two reasons. One is that it removes the need to carry specialized tools: once you've done your nails, you can test 10 drinks and leave the bottle at home. Not having to carry a tool is somewhat more co…

The idea is good, but it would be more targeted to women than men.

Re: Straws And Cups That Detect Date Rape Drugs

#80

Post by jsymolon »

tinha wrote: post #78
Millennium wrote: post #74

It seems to me that, rather than making straws and drinks that do this, it would be better to see if it could be incorporated into some kind of nail polish that, once dried, could detect this. I suggest nail polish for two reasons. One is that it removes the need to carry specialized tools: once you've done your nails, you can test 10 drinks and leave the bottle at home. Not having to carry a tool is somewhat more co…

The idea is good, but it would be more targeted to women than men.

A clear coat will work with both sexes.
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